Have you ever considered how Jesus loved others? I don't mean what he did to demonstrate his love, but how he truly loved others? A great example of how Jesus loved others is presented in the beginning of the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead.
- 3So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." 4When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." 5Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. John 11:3-6
Lazarus of Bethany, a disciple of Jesus, had become dangerously ill. His sisters, Martha and Mary, sent a desperate message to the Lord, who was some miles away. The message was this: “Lord, the one you love is sick”. The term for “love” in this message from Martha and Mary is the Greek word phileo, which is a form of love based on attachment and personal affection. It seems odd, at least from our point of view, that Jesus did not rush to the scene to care for Lazarus as he was an object of Jesus' affection. Rather, Jesus delayed two days, during which time Lazarus died. If Jesus loved Lazarus and Martha and Mary, why did the Lord refrain from going directly to Bethany?
The key to this question is in verses 5 and 6.
Here, the word for “love” is the Greek word agapao, which is a form of love based on dedication. Verse 5 speaks of the dedication or devotion that Jesus had for this family. He was interested in the kind of faith that could be produced in them if they were allowed to wait a bit. His primary interest above all else was not his feelings or affection, but rather an honest facing of the question 'What is best for the one I love?' The best for them in this situation was to have Jesus wait because through that waiting their faith was increased.
What's best for those we love? Well, each situation is different. If we ask, God will give us guidance in those situations. However, we can feel confident regardless of the situation, that we are to accept our brothers and sisters without judgment and unconditionally.
As we seek to love others, let's purpose in our hearts to not base our love just on attachment and personal affection - but also on doing what is best for the one's we love in and around our community.
